Education cuts advance, multicultural programs retained

A bill was advanced from general file Feb. 16 that contained recommendations prepared by the Education Committee in anticipation of budget reductions.

LB333, introduced by York Sen. Greg Adams, would remove the statutory requirement that schools have a student achievement coordinator, estimated to save $103,000 over the next two fiscal years.

Additionally, the bill would transfer funds to the lottery fund to support the following programs:
• Early Childhood Education Grants;
• high ability learner grants;
• an integrated information system; and
• the Center for Student Leadership and Extended Learning.

Under the bill, fees for teaching certificates and permits also would be increased by $15 to cover costs for investigating and prosecuting certification violations.

An Education Committee amendment, adopted 36-0, removed provisions from the bill that would have eliminated a requirement that schools offer multicultural education programs.

The committee determined that the multicultural education requirement should be reinstated, Adams said, due to a strong showing of public support for it at the committee hearing.

Omaha Sen. Brenda Council spoke in support of the committee amendment.

In order to eliminate the learning gap among minority children, Council said, the state must maintain its commitment to multicultural education.

Adams said the committee tried to preserve programs that the state Department of Education felt were important.

The amended bill advanced on a 41-0 vote.